Lockey, Allen, Pepperdine third at Lewiston tournament

LEWISTON — Relying on the competitive edge of their upper weight classes, the Bulldog wrestling team finished fifth among 12 teams at last weekend’s Clearwater Classic in Lewiston.

Junior Matt Lockey (220) and seniors Josh Allen (160) and Justin Pepperdine (182) each collected pins on their way to third place finishes for the Bulldogs. Also advancing to the podium for Sandpoint were sophomores Adam Weindl (160), Josh Travers (195) and senior Peyton Dillon (120), who each finished fourth.

Rounding out the medal winners were freshman Tanner McNelly and senior Damen Rodriguez who finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

Allen and Pepperdine both lost hard-fought battles to eventual champions by a combined three points. Allen faced top seed and the state’s current second-ranked wrestler in Junior Pantoja of Caldwell, dropping a last second takedown to fall 8-6. Allen then reeled off four consecutive victories to finish third.

Pepperdine, who was upended by eventual champion Quinton Grimmage of Lewiston, pinned the top seed from Pullman en route to his third place finish. In his semi-final match Lockey faced top seed Trevor Rigney (No. 2 in the state 5A rankings) of Lewiston. Trailing 6-5 heading into the final period, Lockey was pinned following a scramble. He then reeled off a pair of victories, including a fall over his Freeman opponent to finish third.

The Bulldogs are at the Coeur d’Alene Invite on Friday and Saturday.

Clark Fork 10   12   12   13 — 47

CLARK FORK — Kiebert 4, McMahon 5, Vogel 8, Kailang 8, Driver 2, Komanec 4, Thornton 11, Wurm 2, Van Buren 3.